Reflection Hymn for the 9th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jesus said to his disciples: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven." Proclaiming God's message includes acting on the teachings of Jesus. Our reflection hymn "Count Thou Fount of Every Blessing" includes these words:
Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.


Not just songs of praise but songs of loudest praise. Not just listening to His word but acting on His word. How is it possible to sing in praise when our troubles are sometimes too much to handle? If we let His teachings transform  us, we can weather any storm.
Let Thy goodness like a fetter
Bind my wand'ring heart to Thee.

Here is an earlier blogpost with a recording of this hymn.

Somnus Nemoris

Hello everyone I just wanted to share this wonderful operatic latin piece with all of you entitled Somnus Nemoris.

Lyrics (Latin):

Tellus dormit
et liberi in diem faciunt
numquam extinguunt
ne expergisci possint

Omnia dividit
tragoedia coram
amandum quae

Et nocte perpetua
ehem vel vera visione
par oram videbo te
mane tempu expergiscendi

Lyrics (English):

A kingdom sleeps
children make groans that are never diminished
nor can they hope

A man is divided
he faces a tragedy and is sent away
And to travel at night from destruction

Is his other burden
to bear every fear is his punishment
which he must endure throughout time
and from it ascend

Lift HIgh the Cross for Handbells

The hymn is quite familiar to us. We hear it frequently during Lent, sung in triumph, a celebration of victory over death. In preparation for this Lenten Season, our handbell choir has been rehearsing this arrangement for handbells and choir.

LIFT HIGH THE CROSS, handbell arrangement by Arnold Sherman

The hymn also carries a message of outreach - to lift high the cross and proclaim the Good News. (Source: The Center for Church Music)